Table (furniture)

Lore & Background

Some very early tables were made and used by the Ancient Egyptians around 2500 BC, using wood and alabaster. They were often little more than stone platforms used to keep objects off the floor, though a few examples of wooden tables have been found in tombs. The Chinese also created very early tables in order to pursue the arts of writing and painting, as did people in Mesopotamia, where various metals were used. The Greeks and Romans made more frequent use of tables, notably for eating, although Greek tables were pushed under a bed after use. Tables were made of marble or wood and metal (typically bronze or silver alloys), sometimes with richly ornate legs. The Romans also introduced a large, semicircular table to Italy, the mensa lunata.

In western Europe during the Middle Ages, tables appear to have been portable and supported upon trestles fixed or folding, which were cleared out of the way at the end of a meal. Charlemagne possessed three tables of silver and one of gold, probably made of wood and covered with plates of the precious metals. Refectory tables were in use in monasteries and dining halls during the Middle Ages, well before the 17th century, as an advancement of the trestle table; these tables were typically quite long and wide and capable of supporting a sizeable banquet. The word table is derived from Old English tabele, from the Latin tabula ('a board, plank, flat top piece'), which replaced the Old English bord; its current spelling reflects the influence of the French table.

Reader's Guide

Tables are among the most fundamental and versatile pieces of furniture, serving as a surface for working, eating, or placing things across virtually all cultures and historical periods. Their significance lies in their adaptability: from the stone platforms of Ancient Egypt around 2500 BC to the folding TV trays of modern times, tables have been designed to meet specific needs. Common types include dining room tables for seated meals, coffee tables for living rooms, and bedside tables for bedrooms. Specialized forms such as drafting tables for architectural drawings, billiards tables for games, and work tables for sewing demonstrate how the basic concept of a raised flat top can be adapted for diverse activities. The design of tables has evolved to include features like drop leaves for expansion, folding mechanisms for portability, and adjustable heights to accommodate chairs or bar stools. The etymology of the word, from Latin tabula through Old English and French, reflects the long history of this object. Tables remain essential in homes, offices, schools, and public spaces, their forms continuing to evolve with changing materials and functions.

Did You Know?

• The word table is derived from Old English tabele, from the Latin word tabula ('a board, plank, flat top piece'), which replaced the Old English bord.
• Some very early tables were made and used by the Ancient Egyptians around 2500 BC, using wood and alabaster.
• The Greeks invented a piece of furniture very similar to the guéridon.
• Refectory tables were in use in monasteries and dining halls during the Middle Ages, well before the 17th century, as an advancement of the trestle table.